Fun in the Northwoods

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March 2, 2025, the 61st day of 2025 People of the Last Days Unless we are true followers of Jesus Christ, we will eventually become the kind of people the Bible describes as people of the last days.... View MoreMarch 2, 2025, the 61st day of 2025 People of the Last Days Unless we are true followers of Jesus Christ, we will eventually become the kind of people the Bible describes as people of the last days. The number of people that fit the description is growing. It is one of the most compelling signs that the end of mankind's rule is near, even if we didn't look at anything else. For most of the history of the world there have been good people and bad people. When bad people were in chage, good people were misused by the bad and the bad were empowered. Regular people were used and abused. When good people were in charge the good could prosper and kept the bad in check. Regular people thrived. But even then, the bad people usually still had love and respect for their family and their friends. Jesus points this out. "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back." Luke 6:32-34 But during the end time the evil doers--sinners--will be uncaring and cold hearted, even to their own. When Jesus is talking about the end of the age and His return He tells of many terrible things that will build up to that end. This casting off of God's laws and replacing them with mankind's lawlessness will cause a change to the people's love, it will have a chilling effect. "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." Matthew 24:12 This is a description of end time people. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" II Timothy 3:1-5 History has been filled with individuals that were self-obsessed. They caused all kinds of suffering, bloodshed, persecution and wars that the regular people had to deal with. But they were rare and when they were taken down, it took a while for another to come to power. The people of the last days are going to be unlike any people of the ages before. And the scary thing is, that they are modern people, educated and indoctrinated by a self-centered view point. Beccause the easiest way to make a generation, and then a population of people that are self-absorbed, is to take away all restraints, take away moral absolutes and all expectation of self-control. It doesn't happen all at once, but it happens steadily. Any break in its progress does not stop the core deterioration of the people who fall for its lies. Manipulation helps with core deterioration of a people, and a sneaky wat this is done is to proclaim personal happiness as an end all of existence and an excuse for any and all manner of sins. Then true happiness becomes unattainable, because it is presented as an emotion. And because of that it is ever changing as the moods change. It will flicker as the emotions flicker and fade as the emotions fade. True happiness is a choice made to live a life of contentment and gratitude--no matter our circumstances--it cannot be found in selfish pursuits. Once personal happiness is held in such high esteem, the next step is to make oneself a god in ones own eyes. Because when nothing matters as much as a person's happiness that means that person must be godlike himself. It adds a Satanic touch, no less. And if you did not already guess, this is Satan's plans for the world. Being controlled by emotions and feelings instead of being self-control makes this self-obcession complete. This combination is the recipe for an end time personality. And believe it or not, that has been the goal and it has been the outcome of the modern world. It is the personality that will welcome the Antichrist, who is in agreement with the darkness that dwells within those corrupt people. Time will soon run out and each person's choice will be set. Jesus is the only escape from this ever growing darkness within the souls of those who are following that path to destruction. Stay strong! It is important to be aware of why you do what you do. Do not be snared by the traps Satan sets! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

March 1, 2025 11:59 am

March 1, 2025, the 60th day of 2025 In Like a Lion Well, since we had some really nice, Springlike days near the end of February, this morning feels like the blast of a roaring lion, not the gentle ... View More

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Nelani Nettrour

February 28, 2025 12:25 pm

February 28, 2025, the 59th day of 2025 In His Presence Where is our pleasure? Where is our resting place? Where do we take comfort? Where do we go to find answers?... View MoreFebruary 28, 2025, the 59th day of 2025 In His Presence Where is our pleasure? Where is our resting place? Where do we take comfort? Where do we go to find answers? "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock." Psalms 27:4-5 David wrote this before there was any physical temple. That awaited his son, King Solomon, to build. This temple, this tabernacle, that David wrote of is in the Heavenly places. "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalms 16:11 In the presence of God is the most blessed and the safest place for anyone to dwell. It is the most beautiful of all, though only spiritual eyes can see it right now. In the pesence of God is the best place to be. KIng David--though he would reign as King after his time in the escaping from the clutches of King Saul--did not sing praises of his earthly home, or of the treasures that were his. Instead his focus was on God. And being in the presence of God was his delight. Forty years David ruled over Israel. Before that he faithfully served his father and tended the sheep. He ran errands and fought off predators He fought and defeated Goliath. He brought peace to the soul of King Saul and he had to escape from King Saul's evil, jealous fits. Many tried to kill him. When God had chosen David as the next King over Israel, this is what He had His Prophet Samuel, tell King Saul. "And Samuel said to Saul, 'You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.'” I Samuel 13:13-14 There was something in David that God saw, to choose him as the King that would forever be known as the King of Israel, even as other kings rose and fell. God called David, "a man after His own heart" and that is something to say about any man! David came to God with his praise, his requests and in repentance when he fell into sin. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge." Psalms 51:1-4 The praises of God's lovingkindness were upon his lips in so many ways. "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." Psalms 103:1-6 We would not know the heart of David, without the Psalms of David. The history of David was one filled with all kinds of trials, tribulation, temptations, successes and failings. David had very high points and very low points and everything in between. And in all, he went to the Lord, to speak his heart, beg forgiveness, seek mercy, sing God's praises and make his petitions known. David knew where his help came from. David knew to Whom he relied upon. David did not hold back what he was feeling from God. He couldn't hide from God even if he wanted to, because God already knew, but still he came, even if at times he needed a nudge to admit his failings. It was not an easy life. But God had chosen him for such a time and because his heart was open to God, to follow Him, God was never far from Him. And through the kingly line of David, from the father who raised Him, Joseph, came the throne of David. And through the kingly blood line of David, through His mother Mary, Jesus, the Messiah was born of his line. Jesus was known as the Son of David. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham..." Matthew 1:1 "Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'” Luke 18:35-38 Though the only begotten Son of God, Jesus also answered the pleadings of those who came to Him as the Son of David. The love of God is so great, and His knowledge of our hearts so expansive, that He sees the potential in us that we cannot see. And the love of Jesus is so great for His creation that He stepped down from His throne in Heaven and was born into it. And He suffered and died to redeem it. And when He rose again, it was in the resurrected human form, incorruptible that all those who have chosen to repent and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Master, will one day share! It is something to strive for, to be so transparent with God, that though the world may misunderstand us and critics will bring up our past sins, as if that is the whole story of who we are, that we stand accepted by God, as a beloved child of His. Stay strong! Remain open with God. He already knows it all, but you need to lay yourself open to God, to His searching light, for your sake. NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

February 27, 2025 9:30 am

February 27, 2025, the 58th day of 2025 If Nothijg Has Changed, You Are Not Changed ... View MoreFebruary 27, 2025, the 58th day of 2025 If Nothijg Has Changed, You Are Not Changed There is a reason God tells us to look for the fruit of change those professing to be followers of Jesus, because without the good fruit, there is no new life. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." Matthew 7:15-20 Without a change down to our core in salvation, we are not saved. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:17 If we have not become a new creation in Christ, we remain the original, fallen being. The fruit of the Spirit is contrasted to the works of the flesh. The works of the flesh are listed first, because they are signs of an unchanged life. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, immorality, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21 The works of the flesh show the character of the unsaved. They don't have to do all of these sins to show their nature, one will suffice. Someone may be a moral witch or an immoral teacher and be just as lost. But as sin grows in a person, more sin will take over and join itself to the others. A moral drunkard does not stay moral very long. There are many individual sins that show up before joining forces, but they do not need to join forces to still be a work of the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit with all these characteristics. It is not many fruits. All aspects of that fruit need to be growing and maturing in the life of a true Christian. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 There is self-control in the fruit of the Spirit, which is what we use to crucify the flesh. It is what we use to control ourselves. Obviously the potential to sin remains while the old life remains in us, until Jesus returns and our bodies put on the resurrected newness, incorruptible, immortal. Until then that old nature needs to be kept in check. Self-control comes with the fully surrendered life in Christ. Lack of elf-control is will show quickly if a person has truly put their will in submission to Jesus or not. It is the hardest aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to fake. The aspect of goodness is not doing good works alone, but being good. The aspect of love is not just acting loving, but being filled with God's love and spreading that love. All aspects of the fruit are from the Holy Spirit and grow more apparent as we walk in the Spirit. Perfection is not a sign of the fruit of the Spirit. What is, is the change in a person that infuses that life with Jesus! To be a new creation in Christ, the Spirit of Christ must dwell in us, changing us at our core! Stay strong! Walk in the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in you! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

February 26, 2025 4:32 pm

February 26, 2025, the 57th day of 2025 Follow God's Guidelines, Not Your Heart We have made following our heart almost an idol--not only in the world, but many Christians believe this as well.... View MoreFebruary 26, 2025, the 57th day of 2025 Follow God's Guidelines, Not Your Heart We have made following our heart almost an idol--not only in the world, but many Christians believe this as well. And for some people it actually replaces the urging of the conscience and the word of God. The heart is a fickle thing and will be quick to deceive those who idolize it. Anytime that our heart nudges us to disobedience to God's word, it is being deceitful. There will be no lasting happiness that it promises in breaking God's commands. There may be the pleasure of sin for a seasom, but the season will pass and so will the pleasure. People have betrayed their country, betrayed family, begrayed friends, betrayed their wedding vows, aborted babies, abandoned their children and have done all kinds of terrible things all in the name of following their heart. But the Bible warns that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and no one can really know it, but God. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10 Since the heart can easily lead us astray, we need to realize this and put it under the yoke of obedience to God and His word. If God says "no" and the heart says "yes", we follow God's word and do not do what God says "no" to. It is that simple if you trust God's word more than you trust your heart or its judgment. "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Matthew 15:7-9 A heart far from God cannot worsip God or love God. Loving God with our whole heart leaves no room for it to be used against us. Jesus said to him, 'you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment." Matthew 22:37-38 And if you love Jesus you will keep His commandments! "If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15 Our heart needs to be given over to Jesus or at the first chance it gets it will take us over with its whims. Stay strong! Knowing and following God's word will open our eyes to the dangers of a heart uncommitted to God! NAN

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Nelani Nettrour

February 25, 2025 6:57 pm

February 25, 2025, the 56th day of 2025 Preparing For The End: Part : Four Don't Give Up! There are aspects of preparation that are exciting. Making plans and carrying them out is exhilarating. L... View More

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